For 100 years Leica has helped the world see differently, and this week Cape Town became the lens through which that story was celebrated.

The German camera icon marked its centenary by partnering with the Cape Town Photography Festival 2025, a collaboration that brought exhibitions, talks, live experiences and workshops to audiences across the city.

Founded in 1914, Leica is a pioneer of modern photography. The brand introduced the world’s first portable 35mm camera, making it possible to capture life spontaneously and discreetly.

Since then, its cameras have framed some of history’s most defining images, from Robert Capa’s D-Day landings to Alfred Eisenstaedt’s Kiss in Times Square. Known for uncompromising German engineering, timeless design and unmatched image quality, Leica has become the trusted companion of professionals and enthusiasts around the globe.

Among the festival’s highlights was Looking In and Uitsig at the Sanlam Gallery, a landmark exhibition showcasing the work of Jürgen Schadeberg.

For more than 70 years, armed with his Leica, Schadeberg chronicled South Africa’s cultural and political landscape, from unforgettable portraits of Nelson Mandela to moments of everyday resilience.

Festivalgoers were also treated to the insight of internationally acclaimed Leica photographer Roger Ballen, whose psychologically charged images have gained global recognition. His talk and book signing at Spin Street offered a rare chance to connect with one of contemporary photography’s most provocative voices.

Visitors had the chance to experience Leica’s unrivalled optics and design first-hand, from the timeless M-System to the innovative SL-System and compact Q-Series.

More than just cameras on display, the focus was also on the future: Leica South Africa’s centenary is investing in student mentorships and workshops, opening doors for young photographers to reimagine tomorrow’s stories.

A Leica has always been more than just a camera it’s a tool of cultural memory, passed down through generations, trusted by those who demand authenticity in every frame.

“Leica’s 100-year journey has been defined by one principle: to inspire through images,” Garreth Fisher, Head of Leica South Africa, said. “This festival allows us to honour that legacy while empowering students, artists and communities to tell their own stories.”

“Our role is not only to provide tools but to nurture storytellers,” Gary Shap, Owner of Tudortech, Leica’s distributor in South Africa, explained. “By engaging with this festival, Leica contributes to cultural memory and ensures that the next generation of South African photographers can stand alongside the greats.”

“This centenary celebration creates a bridge between our past and the new inspiring voices shaping photography today,” Carla Bornman, Head of Marketing, Leica South Africa, said. “From Schadeberg’s Leica-documented history to the creativity of young South Africans, this is about empowering stories that endure.”

For photographer Ashley Walters from Uitsig, this exhibition means more than just a display of photos.

Walters work is also on display.

“A lot of the images here are a large body of work that focus and celebrities’ homes and communities, a portrait of a place that carries rich heritage.”

tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za

Weekend Argus 

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